Movable pylon

ABSTRACT

It is described a movable pylon, associated with a lower portion of aircraft wing and with an aircraft engine to change the height of this engine between a flying position and a ground position, the movable pylon comprising: a main unique structure formed by a first movable structure pivoted to a second fixed structure, the first movable structure associated with the engine, the second fixed structure associated with the wing, and a pivot mechanism connecting the first movable structure to at least one point on the wing.

The present invention refers to a movable pylon associated with the lower portion of an aircraft wing and to the engine of this aircraft, wherein this pylon is particularly used to change the height of this engine between a flying position and a ground position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

Currently, for the installation of new-generation engines having a wider diameter as, for instance, GTF engines in an aircraft it is necessary to make significant changes such as, for instance, a new wing and new landing gears so that the aircraft can adapt to the sizes of this new engine, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

These changes generate high investment costs and require long periods of time before the aircraft is able to start operating, which may lead to the need of requesting a new certification (TC) for this aircraft.

Studies have been conducted to find new ways of adapting a new engine to the wings of an operating aircraft.

Document EP 2030892 refers to a suspension pylon of the engine under a wing. This pylon comprises a pantograph-like mechanism that enables the change of engine height on ground and in flight. More specifically, the pylon consists of two parts that are associated by this pantograph mechanism, formed by a deformable quadrilateral containing two rods parallel to each other and a hydraulic actuator. The fore side of the pylon supports the engine whereas the aft side is associated with the wing. Considering that the fore part of the pylon is only connected to the aft side of the pylon by means of the deformable quadrilateral, these structures: the aft side of the pylon and the deformable quadrilateral have to be strong enough to bear the engine weight, the drag forces and the torque applied on the motor. The pantograph mechanism presented by document EP 2030892 is a complex and not very rigid mechanism.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The scope of the present invention is to provide a movable pylon capable of changing the height of the aircraft engine between a flying position and a ground position and vice-versa.

A further objective of this invention is to provide a movable pylon, strong enough and capable of sustaining and changing the height of the aircraft engine without resulting in a significant increase on aircraft weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a movable pylon, associated with a lower portion of aircraft wing and with an aircraft engine having the purpose of changing the height of this engine from a flying position to a ground position and vice-versa, wherein the pylon comprises: a main unique structure formed by a first movable structure pivoted to a second fixed structure, the first movable structure associated with the engine, the second fixed structure associated with the wing, and a pivot mechanism linking the first movable structure to at least one pivot point on the wing.

A further object of this invention is a movable pylon, associated with a lower portion of aircraft wing and with an aircraft engine to change the height of this engine between a flying position and a ground position and vice-versa, the movable pylon comprising: a main unique structure, associated to a lower portion of the wings by means of at least a pivot point and at least a pivot mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described in details below, based on an example of embodiment represented in the drawings. The figures show:

FIG. 1—it is a schematic view of the technical problem according to state of the art wing and engine configurations;

FIG. 2—it is a schematic view of a known state of the art solution for the problem shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a and 3b —show schematically an aircraft with movable pylon subject matter of this invention;

FIGS. 4a and 4b —show a first preferred configuration of the movable pylon subject matter of this invention;

FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c —show schematically a non-limiting example of the mechanism of the first preferred embodiment of the movable pylon;

FIGS. 6a and 6b —show a second preferred embodiment of the movable pylon subject matter of this invention;

FIGS. 7a and 7b —show a third preferred embodiment of the movable pylon subject matter of this invention;

FIGS. 8a and 8b —show a forth preferred embodiment of the movable pylon subject matter of this invention; and

FIGS. 9a and 9b —show a fifth preferred embodiment of the movable pylon subject matter of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers to a movable pylon that is associated with a lower portion of an aircraft wing 20 and with an engine 10 of said aircraft, having the purpose of changing the height of this engine 10 between a flying position (FIG. 3a ) and a ground position (FIG. 3b ).

According to a first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b , the movable pylon comprises a main unique structure 100, formed by a first movable structure 101 pivoted to a second fixed structure 102. The first movable structure 101 is associated with the engine 10, whereas the second fixed structure 102 is associated with the wing 20.

A pivot mechanism 103 connects the first movable structure 1 to at least a point 22 in the fore region of the aircraft wing 20. The movable structure 101 pivots (rotates) around a pivoting point 21, which is a connection point between the movable structure 101 and the fixed structure 102, hence enabling the change in height of engine 10, as mentioned above.

FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c show schematically a non-limiting example of the pivot mechanism 103, which, according to this non-limiting example, is preferably comprised of a pair of sets of pivoted bars 104, 104′ parallel to each other. These pivoted bars 104, 104′ comprise their first extremities 114, 114′ associated with point 22 on the wing 20 and their second extremities 124, 124′ associated to the first movable structure 101. Furthermore, the pivot mechanism 103 comprises at least one and preferably two hydraulic or electric actuators 105, 105′, one for each set of pivoted bar 104, 104′.

The actuators 105, 105′ are placed at the second fixed structure 102 and have actuating rods 115, 115′ (FIGS. 5b and 5c ) associated with control bars 116, 116′ of the set of pivoted bars 104, 104′. Control bars 116, 116′ connect directly rods 115, 115 to pivoted bars 104, 104′.

When actuators 105, 105′ move rods 115, 115′ linearly so as to expand them, control bars 116, 116′ are moved angularly to a final limit point, transmitting the movement of rods 115, 115′ to pivoted bars 104, 104′ which, on its turn, move the first movable structure 101 and the engine 10, resulting in engine 10 being displaced to flying position (FIG. 5b ).

Similarly, when actuators 105, 105′ move rods 115, 115 so as to retract them, control bars 116, 116′ are moved angularly back to the starting point, transmitting the movements of rods 115, 115′ to pivoted bars 104, 104′ which, on its turn, move the first movable structure 101 and engine 10, resulting in engine 10 being displaced to the ground position (FIG. 5c ).

In a variant configuration of the one illustrated in FIGS. 4a e 4 b, actuators 105, 105′ are placed next to the first movable structure 101, and its actuation rods 115, 115′ are associated with control bars 116, 116′ of the set of pivoted bars 104, 104′.

In this variant configuration, when actuators 105, 105′ move rods 115, 115′ linearly so as to expand them, the control bars 116, 116′ are moved angularly to a final limit point, transmitting the movement of the rods 115, 115′ to pivoted bars 104, 104′ which, on its turn, move the first movable structure 101 and motor 10, resulting in engine 10 being displaced for ground position (FIG. 4b ).

Still in this variant configuration, when actuators 105, 105′ move rods 115, 115′ linearly so as to retract them, control bars 116, 116′ are moved angularly back to the starting point, transmitting the movement of the rods 115, 115′ to pivoted bars 104, 104′ which, on its turn, move the first movable structure 101 and the engine 10, resulting in engine 10 being displaced to flying position (FIG. 4a ).

Thus, this first preferred embodiment of this invention provides the flexibility of placing actuators 105, 105′ either in the first movable structure 101 or in the second fixed structure 102, according to project needs.

The second preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIGS. 6a and 6b , consists of a movable pylon, associated with a lower portion of aircraft wing 20 and with an aircraft engine 10 to change the height of this engine 10 between a flying position and a ground position. Such movable pylon comprises a main unique 100 and unique structure associated with a lower portion of the wing 20 by means of at least one pivot point 21 and at least a pivot mechanism 103.

In this second embodiment, pivot point 21 is placed in the lower portion of the wing 20 relatively close to engine 10, whereas pivot mechanism 103 comprises a set of pivoted bars 104 associated with the lower portion of the wing 20, in line with and after pivot point 21.

Pivot mechanism 103 still comprises a hydraulic or electric actuator 105 whose actuation rod 115 is associated with a set of pivoted bars 104, so that when the hydraulic or electric actuator 105 moves rod 115 linearly so as to expand, pivoted bars 104 are displaced so that the main unique structure 100 of the movable pylon is displaced causing the unique main structure 100 of the movable pylon to displace together with engine 10 to flying position (FIG. 6 a), i.e., by changing the height of engine 10 to ground position (FIG. 6b ). The displacement of the main unique structure 100 of the movable pylon together with the engine 10, to change the engine position and, consequently, its height, as explained above, is done by structure 100 pivoting (rotation) around pivot point 21.

FIGS. 7a and 7b illustrate a third preferred embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, the movable pylon comprises the same characteristics described in the second embodiment, and the operation of the hydraulic or electric actuator 105, whose actuation rod 115 is associated with the set of pivoted bars 104, is the same of the second embodiment. However, in this third embodiment, the pivot mechanism 103, comprising a set of pivot bars 104, is placed in the lower portion of the wing 20 relatively close to engine 10, whereas pivot point 21, which is also placed together with the lower portion of the wing 20, is in line with and after pivot mechanism 103.

The operation of pivot mechanism 103 in this third embodiment is the same of the second embodiment.

A fourth preferred embodiment is illustrated by FIGS. 8a and 8b , in which the movable pylon is associated with a lower portion of aircraft wing 20 and to an aircraft engine 10 to change the height of this engine 10 between a flying position and a ground position. This movable pylon comprises a main unique structure 100 associated with the lower portion of the wing 20 by means of at least one pivoting point 21 and at least a pivot mechanism 103.

Pivot point 21 is placed in the lower portion of the wing 20 relatively close to the engine 10, whereas the pivot mechanism 103 is associated with the lower portion of the wing 20, in line with and after the pivot point 21.

In the fourth embodiment, pivot mechanism 103 is formed by a hydraulic or electric actuator 105 only, placed close to the lower portion of the wing 20 and whose actuation rod 115 is associated with the edge of the main unique structure 100 of the movable pylon, opposite the engine 10.

When hydraulic or electric actuator 105 moves the rod 115 linearly so as to expand it, such rod 115 pushes the edge of the main unique structure 100 of the movable pylon opposite engine 10 so that the main unique structure 100 undergoes rotation around the pivot point 21, thus moving the engine 10 to the ground position (FIG. 8b ).

Similarly, when the hydraulic or electric actuator 105 moves rod 115 linearly so as to retract it, rod 115 pulls the edge of the main unique structure 100 of the movable pylon opposite the engine 10 in the direction of the wing 20 so that the main unique structure 100 undergoes rotation around the pivot point 21 moving the engine 10 to the flying position (FIG. 8a ).

FIGS. 9a and 9b show the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the movable pylon comprises a main unique 100 and unique structure associated with the lower portion of the wing 20 by means of at least one pivot point 21 and at least a pivot mechanism 103.

The pivot point 21 consists of a hinge, ball-and-socket-joint or another swivel direct to the lower portion of the wing 20, close to the engine 10.

Pivot mechanism 103, on its turn, comprises a hydraulic or electric actuator 105 whose actuation rod 115 is associated with a set of pivoted bars 104 by means of a control bar 116, so that when the hydraulic or electric actuator 105 moves rod 115 linearly so as to expand it, control bar 116 is moved angularly to a limit stroke, transmitting the movement of the rod 115 to pivoted bars 104. Pivoted bars 104 are displaced so that the main unique structure 100 of the movable pylon is displaced together with engine 10 to flying position (FIG. 9a ). When the hydraulic or electric actuator 115 moves rod 115 linearly so as to retract it, control bar 116 is moved angularly to the starting point, transmitting the movement of rod 115 to pivoted bars 104 that are displaced so that the main unique structure 100 of the movable pylon is also displaced together with engine 10 to ground position (FIG. 9b ).

Therefore, the movable pylon, subject matter of this invention, by displacing engine 10 to ground position, enables the increase of engine 10 angle of attack, increasing the distance of this engine 10 with respect to the ground. Thus, it is possible to install larger new-generation engines with gains from 10 to 15% on fuel use without major modifications in existing aircrafts and without the need for a new certification.

Moreover, if applied in new aircrafts, the need for “seagull” wing and/or the increase of length in TDP's—Landing Gears, is avoided.

When engine 10 is in ground position, the airscoop is higher, so this airscoop is less submitted to the intake of ground objects. Furthermore, in a take off position, a support component of approximately 16% of tensile strength is gained, which allows the increase of MTOW—Maximum Take-Off Weight, maintaining the same wing despite the increase in engines weight.

A further advantage lies in that engine 10, when tilted, diminishes the jet effect during flap, allowing the increase of the angle of flap, if needed.

It is worth highlighting that the movable pylon subject matter of this invention allows aerodynamic optimization of engine cruising position, placing it in a lower position than the wing, as the mechanism clears the distance to ground during landing.

As it has been described a preferred example of embodiment, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention involves other possible variations, wherein it is solely limited by the content of the accompanying claims, including the possible equivalents therein. 

1. Movable pylon, associated with a lower portion of aircraft wing and with an aircraft engine to change the height of this engine between a flying position and a ground position, characterized in that it comprises: a main unique structure formed by a first movable structure pivoted to a second fixed structure, the first movable structure associated with the engine, the second fixed structure associated with the wing, and a pivot mechanism connecting the first movable structure to at least one point on the wing.
 2. Pylon, according to claim 1, wherein the pivot mechanism is provided with a pair of sets of pivoted bars parallel to each other, comprising first edges associated with the point on the wing and second edges associated with the first movable structure.
 3. Pylon, according to claim 2, wherein the pivot mechanism further comprises at least a hydraulic or electric actuator arranged next to the first movable structure and displacing the pair of sets of pivoted bars.
 4. Pylon, according to claim 2, wherein the pivot mechanism further comprise at least a hydraulic or electric actuator arranged next to the second fixed structure and displacing the pair of sets of pivoted bars.
 5. Pylon, according to claim 3, wherein the hydraulic or electric actuator and the pivot mechanism displace the first movable structure changing the height of the engine between a flying position to a ground position.
 6. Movable pylon, associated with a lower portion of an aircraft wing and with an aircraft engine to change the height of this engine between a flying position and a ground position, characterized in that it comprises: A main unique structure associated with the lower portion of the wing by means of at least one pivoting point and at least one pivot mechanism.
 7. Pylon, according to claim 6, wherein the pivot mechanism comprises a set of pivoted bars associated with the lower portion of the wing and displaced by means of a hydraulic or electric actuator.
 8. Pylon, according to claim 7, wherein the displacement of pivoted bar results in the change of engine height between a flying position and a ground position. 